Gore calls for 'single, full and accurate count'

Gore addresses the nation Monday night

November 27, 2000
Web posted at: 10:19 p.m. EST (0319 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Vice President Al Gore made a plea Monday to reverse what he said was an incomplete accounting of the presidential vote in Florida, using a nationally televised address to call for "a single, full and accurate count."

"A vote is not just a piece of paper," the Democratic presidential nominee said. "A vote is a human voice, a statement of human principle, and we must not let those voices be silenced."

Gore's speech came at the end of another day full of developments in the still-contested presidential race. His campaign filed papers Monday in a Florida court formally objecting to the certification of the state's vote, a step known as a "contest" under state law.

In a short but dramatic address Monday night, Gore repeatedly said he primarily sought to assure that all votes were counted and that he would accept the outcome if that goal was reached. Gore supporters contend thousands of Florida votes for the vice president were never counted because of errors in machine counts.

"Let us stand and fight to let those voices count," Gore said. "If the people do not in the end choose me, so be it. The outcome will have been fair, and the people will have spoken. If they choose me, so be it. I would then commit and do commit to bringing this country together. But, whatever the outcome, let the people have their say, and let us listen."

The speech came at a time when Gore appeared to be losing public support in his bid for the presidency. A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll, released Monday night, indicates 56 percent of Americans now believe Gore should concede the election, compared to 46 percent last week. And 57 percent of Americans disapprove of Gore's decision to contest the Florida vote.

Adding to the drama, Republicans increased the pressure on the federal government to treat Gore's rival, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, as the president-elect. Monday, a House panel said it would hold hearings next week to determine why the federal General Services Administration would not release federal money and office space to Bush for the presidential transition. And Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi, said he wanted hearings scheduled for early January to begin the confirmation process for Bush appointees.

Gore addressed those concerns in his speech. "There are some who would have us bring this election to the fastest conclusion possible. I have a different view," he said. "I believe our Constitution matters more than convenience.

"So, as provided under Florida law, I have decided to contest this inaccurate and incomplete count, in order to ensure the greatest possible credibility for the outcome."